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‘Buy a brick’ boost for injured jockeys centre

MORE than 2,000 people, and horses, will have their names inscribed on bricks used to build a multi-million pound rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys.

Part of the money raised through fundraising for the £3.1 million Jack Berry House, Old Malton, invited people to donate so that they could own a piece of history and have their name, or the name of their favourite horse, inscribed on a brick.

Jack Berry, vice-president of the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) who has been a key driving force behind brining the IJF rehabilitation centre project to life said that there will be a special wall for the bricks.

He said: "There will be a special wall within the building, with lights on it, displaying all the bricks with people's names on them, and outside there will be a display of those with the engraved horse’s names.

"There are 2,034 of them in total."

The building, which is currently under construction, will also feature a life-sized statue of Jack Berry next to the display of bricks which Jack said he was "absolutely chuffed" about but said that the real tribute should be to those who have supported the project.

He said: "Willie Newton, the sculptor is doing it and I've been down to get measured for it.

"It should really be called Our House after all the people who have supported the project and helped to build it.”

In addition to the inscribed bricks and the Jack Berry statue, the two acre site set to open early next year, will include a hydrotherapy pool, respite accommodation, a gym and various treatment rooms.

Lisa Hancock, Chief Executive of the Injured Jockeys Fund said that the bricks were an ideal way to acknowledge those who have supported the project.

She said: "Supporters have given donations, typically £50, and as a means of thanks a brick has been initialled with the name, equine or human, of their choice.

"It's a way of people being able to offer their support to the project and getting some sort of recognition and acknowledgement for that."

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